How Does Ramadan Work? A Beginner’s Guide
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The Meaning of La Ilaha Illa Allah: An Annotated Translation of Imam al-Zarkashi’s Treatise on the Islamic Testimony of Faith
Sh. Yousef WahbIntroduction In the forty-seventh sūra of the Qur’an, Sūrat Muḥammad, God commands, “So know that there is no deity except Allah.”[1] What makes this command especially striking is its timing; it was revealed approximately fifteen years into the Prophet’s mission, at a point when he and his companions already held an unshakable conviction in the oneness of God. Why, then, would such a foundational truth require reaffirmation? The verse suggests that knowing God’s oneness involves more than a one-time acknowledgment; it is an ongoing process that demands sustained reflection, deliberate cultivation, and inner renewal. Scholars have interpreted this divine command in various ways, many […]
The Divine Wisdom Behind the Pairing of Allah's Names in the Qur'an
Jinan YousefIntroduction “Allah has ninety-nine names. Whoever preserves (ahsaha or hafidhaha) them will enter Paradise.”[1] Such was the teaching of the Prophet ﷺ. Many of us have heard this hadith, but fewer of us have internalized the true scope of its meaning. To preserve Allah’s names is not simply to memorize them—it is to live by them. “To Allah belong the best names, so call upon Him (udʿuhu biha) with them.”[2] Duʿa in the Qur’an can refer to supplication specifically and worship more broadly, depending on the context.[3] Here, we are being told to call upon Allah with His names—for example, “O Allah, forgive me, You are the Most Forgiving […]
Love and Hate for God’s Sake: Revisiting the Doctrine of al-Wala’ wal-Bara’
Dr. Hatem al-HajIn the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful Properly reconciling commitment to God and compassion for man is among the most pressing needs of today’s world. It is no secret that Muslims’ relationship with the “other” (including fellow believers of other theological orientations) has become such a major trial for many—particularly those hailing from the Western world[1]—that it risks eroding the sweetness of their faith, or even pushing them away from it. The Islamic doctrine of al-walaʾ wal-baraʾ, often translated as loyalty and disavowal, has the power to remedy this conflict—if and when accurately defined. The equilibrium it achieves between obedience to God and compassion to mankind attests to Islam’s […]
Marriage and Gender Roles in Islam: Beyond Rights and Duties
Dr. Tesneem AlkiekIntroduction Over the past two centuries, Muslim societies confronted what often felt like insurmountable trials: from colonial domination and military defeat to political fragmentation and institutional decay. And yet, even as the Western world began to stagger under the recoil of the very ideologies it violently imposed, Muslim societies remained remarkably resilient in one vital domain: the family. Muslim homes buckled down to weather waves of religious and intellectual onslaught. Marriage was not merely a social arrangement but a space for cultivating moral values and sustaining quiet resistance. But the storm has now caught up with us too, straining one […]
Virtues of Surah al-Baqara: Healing and Protection in the Qur’an’s Longest Chapter
Sh. Suleiman HaniIntroduction One night, standing underneath the vast stretch of the starry sky, Usayd ibn Ḥuḍayr found himself reciting Surah al-Baqara. His horse, tied beside him, suddenly grew agitated. When Ibn Ḥuḍayr paused his recitation, the horse fell silent. He resumed his recitation, only for the horse to again become visibly distressed. He stopped, and again so did his horse’s agitation. For one final time he tried to continue his recitation, but to no avail—his horse was unsettled and worked up, and his son, Yahya, was too close for comfort. Ibn Ḥuḍayr, fearing that the horse might trample his son, bent down […]
Surah al-Fatiha’s Benefits and Virtues: The Greatest Surah in the Qur’an
Sh. Suleiman HaniSurah al-Fatiha is the greatest surah in the Qur’an, the foundation of Islam, the summary of truth, a healing for illnesses, a comfort for worries, a protection, and a fortress. Surah Al-Fatiha is an unrivaled divine revelation to the final nation, recited at least seventeen times a day by Muslims praying their five obligatory prayers, a consistent conversation with the Creator, and a prescription for the hearts of creation.
Speaking Truth to Power: Islamic Rules for Protests, Civil Disobedience, and Encampments for Gaza | Blog
Dr. Ovamir AnjumAre protests allowed in Islam? Explore the Islamic framework for participating in protests, civil disobedience, and solidarity encampments for Gaza.
10 Ways to Maximize Your Worship in the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan | Blog
Dr. Omar SuleimanHow could Allah, the Most Compassionate and Merciful, allow the unleash evil upon innocent and defenseless people? Read how In Sūrat al-Burūj, Allah ﷻ directly addresses the reality of genocide.
Islam and the LGBT Question: Reframing the Narrative
Yaqeen InstituteWhat does Islam say about LGBT, gender and sexual morality? This article sets out to distinguish modern worldviews and explore Islam's view on gender, sex, and sexual morality.
Secrets of Surah al-Fatihah: How Divine Language Provides a Moral Compass | Blog
Dr. Nazir KhanIn seven short verses, we will see how every single word has been perfectly selected to convey the greatest moral lessons.
Speaking Truth to Power: Islamic Rules for Protests, Civil Disobedience, and Encampments for Gaza | Blog
Dr. Ovamir AnjumAre protests allowed in Islam? Explore the Islamic framework for participating in protests, civil disobedience, and solidarity encampments for Gaza.
10 Ways to Maximize Your Worship in the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan | Blog
Dr. Omar SuleimanHow could Allah, the Most Compassionate and Merciful, allow the unleash evil upon innocent and defenseless people? Read how In Sūrat al-Burūj, Allah ﷻ directly addresses the reality of genocide.
Islam and the LGBT Question: Reframing the Narrative
Yaqeen InstituteWhat does Islam say about LGBT, gender and sexual morality? This article sets out to distinguish modern worldviews and explore Islam's view on gender, sex, and sexual morality.
Secrets of Surah al-Fatihah: How Divine Language Provides a Moral Compass | Blog
Dr. Nazir KhanIn seven short verses, we will see how every single word has been perfectly selected to convey the greatest moral lessons.
Introduction The Shari’ah consists of some laws that remain the same regardless of changing circumstances and others that change with them. Most of the Shari’ah is up to individual Muslims to follow in their own lives. Some are for judges to implement in courts. Finally, the third set of laws is for the ruler or political authority to implement based on the best interests of society. The Shari’ah ruling on Muslims who decide to leave Islam belongs to this third group. Implemented in the past to protect the integrity of the Muslim community, today this important goal can best be […]
Coping with Grief: A Spiritual and Psychological Guide
Sarah Sultan
Grief What is grief? Grief is a natural and emotional reaction to the loss of someone or something important to you. The loss can be a person, an object, or even a way of life. During a time of loss, emotions can be intensely painful, affecting all aspects of life and relationships. In the midst of this struggle, it is important to realize that grief is normal; it is not an illness and it is not something negative. Grief shows that you cared deeply for whatever it is that you lost. For some people, grief might be felt in spikes […]
Coping with Pandemics: Psychological and Spiritual Lessons from Islamic History
Dr. Rania Awaad
Abstract Though the COVID-19 pandemic may seem novel, pandemics are not new to the greater human experience. This paper highlights the psychological and spiritual coping mechanisms that early Muslims drew upon from Islamic teachings when they endured similar plagues. We analyze Muslim experiences of communicative diseases with a focus on their personal, communal, and public responses throughout history. This perspective provides valuable insights as to the role played by faith and spirituality in the responses of the Muslim community. By examining a selection of plague outbreaks between the 8th-19th centuries across the lands broadly defined as the Islamic Mediterranean, we […]
Productive Seclusion: How to Make the Most of Working From Home
Dr. Tesneem Alkiek
Introduction Amidst the lockdowns in response to COVID-19, many of you have been working from home, perhaps for the very first time. For those who have never had this experience, it may feel overwhelming. Suddenly, time and focus are a thing of the past. But as someone who has been working remotely for the past two years, I can assure you that not all hope is lost. I have picked up a handful of habits that have allowed me to not only focus, but to actually be my most productive at home. Here are seven easy tips to incorporate into your day […]
Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You: Addressing the Impact of Trauma on Faith
Najwa Awad
Giving a Voice to Unbearable Pain When you hear the word “trauma,” images of a soldier in combat, holding on to dear life while people all around him are being violently killed, may come to your mind. Or maybe you envision a refugee who forcefully left her beloved home to relocate to safety, only to have her entire family drown at sea. Trauma can provoke a wide range of ideas, but if you are like most people the clinical term feels exceptional and uncommon, and like something that doesn’t happen to average people like us. But what if you don’t […]
Reframing the Suffering Narrative: Can Affliction Direct Us to Our Calling?
Amira Ayad
Introduction In 1095 C.E., Imam Abū Ḥāmid Al-Ghazālī (d. 505/1111) was one of the highly esteemed scholars of Baghdad. He had it all: fame, fortune, family, and prestige. Nevertheless, deep in his heart lay an unsettling feeling urging him to pull away from the worldly life and move closer to God. It was a hard choice to make until one day it ceased to be a choice. He woke up with a lock upon his tongue that prevented him from teaching. Soon enough, he fell into depression and his body started to waste away. The renowned imam resolved to leave […]
Coping with Grief: A Spiritual and Psychological Guide
Sarah Sultan
Grief What is grief? Grief is a natural and emotional reaction to the loss of someone or something important to you. The loss can be a person, an object, or even a way of life. During a time of loss, emotions can be intensely painful, affecting all aspects of life and relationships. In the midst of this struggle, it is important to realize that grief is normal; it is not an illness and it is not something negative. Grief shows that you cared deeply for whatever it is that you lost. For some people, grief might be felt in spikes […]
Coping with Pandemics: Psychological and Spiritual Lessons from Islamic History
Dr. Rania Awaad
Abstract Though the COVID-19 pandemic may seem novel, pandemics are not new to the greater human experience. This paper highlights the psychological and spiritual coping mechanisms that early Muslims drew upon from Islamic teachings when they endured similar plagues. We analyze Muslim experiences of communicative diseases with a focus on their personal, communal, and public responses throughout history. This perspective provides valuable insights as to the role played by faith and spirituality in the responses of the Muslim community. By examining a selection of plague outbreaks between the 8th-19th centuries across the lands broadly defined as the Islamic Mediterranean, we […]
Productive Seclusion: How to Make the Most of Working From Home
Dr. Tesneem Alkiek
Introduction Amidst the lockdowns in response to COVID-19, many of you have been working from home, perhaps for the very first time. For those who have never had this experience, it may feel overwhelming. Suddenly, time and focus are a thing of the past. But as someone who has been working remotely for the past two years, I can assure you that not all hope is lost. I have picked up a handful of habits that have allowed me to not only focus, but to actually be my most productive at home. Here are seven easy tips to incorporate into your day […]
Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You: Addressing the Impact of Trauma on Faith
Najwa Awad
Giving a Voice to Unbearable Pain When you hear the word “trauma,” images of a soldier in combat, holding on to dear life while people all around him are being violently killed, may come to your mind. Or maybe you envision a refugee who forcefully left her beloved home to relocate to safety, only to have her entire family drown at sea. Trauma can provoke a wide range of ideas, but if you are like most people the clinical term feels exceptional and uncommon, and like something that doesn’t happen to average people like us. But what if you don’t […]
Reframing the Suffering Narrative: Can Affliction Direct Us to Our Calling?
Amira Ayad
Introduction In 1095 C.E., Imam Abū Ḥāmid Al-Ghazālī (d. 505/1111) was one of the highly esteemed scholars of Baghdad. He had it all: fame, fortune, family, and prestige. Nevertheless, deep in his heart lay an unsettling feeling urging him to pull away from the worldly life and move closer to God. It was a hard choice to make until one day it ceased to be a choice. He woke up with a lock upon his tongue that prevented him from teaching. Soon enough, he fell into depression and his body started to waste away. The renowned imam resolved to leave […]
Special written resources and journals designed to maximize your productivity during the holy month. These publications often include daily planners, reflections, and spiritual exercises.
Special written resources and journals designed to maximize your productivity during the holy month. These publications often include daily planners, reflections, and spiritual exercises.
Reframing Ramadan: How to Flourish While the Masjids are Closed
Dr. Omar Husain
Introduction On Friday, March 12, 2020, religious leaders and board members at masjids across the country made the excruciating decision to suspend the Friday (Jumuʿah) prayer due to the spread of COVID-19. This decision was not taken lightly but, after consultation with scholars and medical professionals, it was seen as absolutely necessary. The community had to face the reality that there would be no Jumuʿah prayer for some time. Now, nearly six weeks after the decision, Jumuʿah prayer continues to be suspended at the masjid, in addition to daily prayers, weekend schools, and Friday night programs. Additionally, there is no hanging out, drinking tea together, or youth […]
Tahajjud: Fuel for the Self and Society
Dr. Tamara Gray
Introduction Damascus is a beautiful city. Jasmine vines and bright purple bougainvillea flowers grow on balconies all over the city and jacaranda trees sneak up in the small spaces between blocks and buildings. I used to live in a twelve-story cement block building that stood in a row of at least ten other buildings almost exactly like it. At maghrib time, the sun would go down and the buildings’ windows would light up with crystal chandeliers and fluorescent lights. People would go about the evening work of children’s homework, supper, and soap operas all up and down the floors. It was a […]
Why Laylatul Qadr? The Significance & Virtues of the Most Important Night of the Year
Dr. Nazir Khan
Islam makes certain times and places especially sacred. The Night of Power is one of these times. Learn the significance of Laylatul Qadr and how to seek its reward.
How Muslims Feel About Ramadan 2020: A Report
Dr. Osman Umarji
Introduction As we begin an unprecedented Ramadan, Muslims are trying to figure out how to approach this blessed month while being isolated at home and without access to the masjid. How do they anticipate their experience this Ramadan to be compared to prior years? Are people optimistic? If so, what predicts their optimism? This brief report is meant to describe the attitudes and behavioral intentions of Muslims for this Ramadan and provide recommendations based on our findings. Yaqeen Institute released a survey earlier this week that was completed by 450 Muslims from all over the world. This survey was meant to […]
The Spiritual Psychology of Worship
Dr. Zohair Abdul-Rahman
Introduction Many young Muslims have grown up dreading acts of worship, viewing them as cumbersome tasks devoid of any meaning or fulfillment. 58% of respondents to a Yaqeen Institute survey of Muslims from the United States admitted that religious beliefs and practices not making sense to them contributed to feelings of doubt.[1] Even those who are certain in their Islam may feel empty in their five daily prayers (ṣalāh), recitation of scripture (tilāwah), or engaging in remembrance (dhikr). While the Qur’an describes worship as the meaning of life,[2] many still see it as a dry chore that they would rather not engage in. These attitudes […]
